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December 15, 2012Gaudete Sunday: Rejoice!
This Sunday we see some more changes in the liturgical setting. The candles and the vestments have gone from purple to rose in color, and the third Advent Wreath on the back wall is hung higher than the other three week’s wreaths as sign of the Joy which we are called to feel and understand this week: The Christ Child that Isaiah foretold shall soon enter the human world. Gaudete Sunday, the Third Sunday of Advent, calls us to bespeak of the Joy which the love of God and the gift of His Only Son, the Christ, means for our eternal salvation. We should be thrilled with Joy!
In the first reading from the prophet Zephaniah we are told that “…the King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst, you have no further misfortune to fear.” We are reminded that-the Lord our God will protect us from all evil. We are called to understand that whatever this world hands us—an un-happy life, a broken relationship, illness—fear cannot captivate us if we believe and trust that God will care for us in the end. We must come to realize that this life, no matter how “long” our years number, is but a blink of an eye to the Lord, and He offers us perfection in Eternity. Do we Trust in Him?
In the second reading today from Philippians, we hear that “Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.” The crowds asked John the Baptist, “What should we do?” He said to them in reply, “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.” To the tax collector and to the solider he told them not to collect more than what is prescribed nor to practice extortion; do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages.So today we hear a “mixed” message: be joyful for all that you have, and share what you have with those who go without. In these last few weeks leading up to the celebration of the Lord’s birth, it might be difficult to be satisfied with what we have, as we are constantly told we need more “things” from every advertiser and retailer known to mankind. And joy in this season of “stress” might be harder and harder to come by in the midst of tinsel, glitz and the commercialism of the modern season but let us really look at the most glorious gift of all: Christ’s Love for each and every one of us—you and me—and what that really means for our eternal salvation.
When we pause to consider all that He offers us, freely and without condition, we should be JOYFUL people. And that JOY should move us to want to share that JOY with others who seem to have so little. Joy is the greatest gift of all in this season of iPhones and iPods, of Garmins and garment bags, of silver bows and stockings stuffed. May we all embrace Him and His Gift this Christmas and beyond, and then may we have the courage to share His gift of love with those whom we meet.
Rejoice! You’ve been saved!
